Kept from the Hour — Trumpets, the Blessed Hope, and Watchfulness

Scripture quotations ESV

Summary: Jesus promises to keep His faithful from “the hour of trial” coming on the whole world (Rev 3:10). The apostles connect that hope to a sudden catching up, a trumpet, and sober watchfulness (1 Thess 4–5; 1 Cor 15). The Feasts, the Fig Tree, and the Lord’s own parables reinforce one note: be ready.

1) An Amazing Promise from Our Lord (Revelation 3:10–13)

[10] Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. [11] I am coming soon. Hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown. [12] The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name. [13] He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

Notes: “Keep you from” (Gk. tērēsō ek) reads as preservation out of, not merely protection through.[3] The phrase “those who dwell on the earth” is a Revelation technical term for the world’s unbelieving inhabitants.[4]

2) Trumpets, Gathering, and the Blessed Hope

The Wilderness Trumpets (Numbers 10:1–10)

Two silver trumpets: for calling the assembly and for the journeying of the camps.
Typologically, many see a pattern: call (resurrection) and journey (translation).

The Catching Up (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18)

[13] But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. [14] For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. [15] For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. [16] For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. [18] Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Children of the Day (1 Thessalonians 5:1–11)

[1] Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. [2] For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. [3] While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. [4] But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief. [5] For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. [6] So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. [7] For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. [8] But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. [9] For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, [10] who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him. [11] Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

“In a Moment, at the Last Trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:51–53)

[51] Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, [52] in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. [53] For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

Note on “last trumpet”: Paul’s phrase is best read in its own context—not as the seventh trumpet of Revelation (which blows mid-trib)—but as the climactic assembly/journey signal (cf. Num 10) for the church’s resurrection and translation.[6]

Israel’s Gathering at the Revelation (Matthew 24:31)

“And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

Many read this as the post-trib regathering of Israel at the Son of Man’s visible revelation in glory, distinct from the church’s catching up.[7]

2a) The Feasts of the LORD (Leviticus 23): Pattern and Promise

Leviticus 23 lays out “the appointed feasts of the LORD” (moedim), a calendar of redemption woven into Israel’s life. “These are the appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations” (Lev 23:2). Read as a whole, the feasts form two clusters—spring and fall—with a long summer interval in between. Many see in this an outline of Messiah’s work: first coming, present age, and consummation.

Spring Feasts—fulfilled in Messiah’s first coming

Passover (Lev 23:5) — Christ our Passover has been sacrificed (1 Cor 5:7); His blood secures our exodus from wrath.
Unleavened Bread (Lev 23:6–8) — leaven removed; Christ’s sinless life and His burial set us apart (Luke 23:53–56).
Firstfruits (Lev 23:9–14) — “Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Cor 15:20).
Weeks/Pentecost (Lev 23:15–22) — outpoured Spirit gathers a firstfruits harvest from the nations (Acts 2; Rom 8:23).

The Interval
Between Weeks and Trumpets stretches a gap in the calendar—fitting the present church age in which the gospel is preached and Israel’s partial hardening persists (Rom 11:25), until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in.

Fall Feasts—patterning the consummation

Trumpets (Lev 23:23–25) — “a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation.” The day of blowing (Heb. teru‘ah) aligns with Scripture’s trumpet imagery for resurrection/assembly (1 Thess 4:16–17; 1 Cor 15:52) without licensing date‑setting. The shofar (ram’s horn) served Israel’s worship and alarms; silver trumpets (Num 10) summoned and signaled journeys—both feed the typology.
Day of Atonement (Lev 23:26–32) — a day of affliction and atonement. Many link this to Israel’s future national repentance when they look on the One they pierced (Zech 12:10) and receive the covenant’s forgiveness (Rom 11:26–27).
Tabernacles/Booths (Lev 23:33–43) — ingathering and joy under God’s shelter; anticipates the kingdom feast and God dwelling with His people (John 7:37–39; Zech 14:16; Rev 21:3).

Takeaway: The Feasts provide a pattern, not a scheduling code. They amplify the same charge heard in the trumpet texts and parables: watch, be ready, and hold fast (Rev 3:11; Matt 25:13; 1 Thess 5:6–8).

3) A Door Open in Heaven (Revelation 4:1–6)

[1] After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” [2] At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. [3] And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. [4] Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. [5] From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, [6] and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal. And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and behind… (continue in your Bible)

Note: “Seven Spirits” correlates with the Spirit’s sevenfold fullness in Isaiah 11.[5]

4) The Spirit’s Sevenfold Fullness (Isaiah 11:1–5)

[1] There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. [2] And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. [3] And his delight shall be in the fear of the LORD. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, [4] but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. [5] Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

5) Be Ready: Parables and Warnings from Jesus

The Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1–13)

[1] “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. [2] Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. [3] For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, [4] but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. [5] As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. [6] But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ [7] Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. [8] And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ [9] But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ [10] And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. [11] Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ [12] But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ [13] Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

“Lord, Lord” (Matthew 7:21–23)

[21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Like a Thief (Luke 12:35–40)

[35] “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, [36] and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. [37] Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. [38] If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! [39] But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. [40] You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

6) Fig Tree, Faith, and Final Exhortation

Will He Find Faith? (Luke 18:8)

“I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

The Lesson of the Fig Tree (Luke 21:29–36)

[29] And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. [30] As soon as they come out in leaf, you see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. [31] So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that the kingdom of God is near. [32] Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all has taken place. [33] Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. [34] “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. [35] For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. [36] But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Note: Many see the fig tree as Israel; others take it as a general lesson about recognizing prophetic seasons. Either way, Jesus’ charge is the same: stay awake.[7]

7) Pretribulation Hope — A Brief Case

Two-stage return pattern: For His saints (translation, 1 Thess 4; 1 Cor 15) vs with His saints (revelation in glory, Matt 24; Rev 19).[8]
Imminency: The church watches for Christ, not for the Antichrist (Phil 3:20; Titus 2:13; 1 Thess 1:10).
Wrath exemption: “Not destined… for wrath” (1 Thess 5:9) harmonizes with Rev 3:10’s keeping from the global hour of trial.
Interval needed: Bema seat (2 Cor 5:10), marriage of the Lamb (Rev 19:7–10), and millennial population (Isa 65:20–25) all imply a gap between translation and revelation (cf. Walvoord, Ryrie, Ice).[9]
Church/Israel distinction: The church is a mystery body (Eph 3), distinct from Israel’s 70th week (Dan 9:24–27). Revelation 6–18 names Israel repeatedly; the church is conspicuously absent by name.[10]

Bottom line: The Rapture is a blessed hope (Titus 2:13) that fuels holiness and mission now (1 John 3:3), not date-setting.

8) How to Respond—Today

Repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; 16:31).
Be baptized and abide in Scripture and prayer (Acts 2:41–42; John 8:31–32).
Join a sound church that treats the Bible as final authority—adding nothing, subtracting nothing (Deut 4:2; Rev 22:18–19).
Watch, work, and wait—encourage one another as children of the day (1 Thess 5:4–11).

Footnotes & Clarifications

[1] Translation: All Scripture quotations are from the ESV (© Crossway).
[2] “Christ” = “Messiah”: Christos (Gk.) = Mashiach (Heb.) = “Anointed One,” Israel’s Messiah and Savior of the world (John 4:22).
[3] Rev 3:10 “keep… from” (tērēsō ek): Many understand this as exemption out of the worldwide hour, aligning with 1 Thess 1:10; 5:9.
[4] “Those who dwell on the earth”: Revelation’s repeated phrase for steadfast earth-dwellers in unbelief (e.g., Rev 6:10; 8:13; 11:10; 13:8, 12, 14; 17:2, 8).
[5] Seven Spirits: See Isa 11:2 for the Spirit’s sevenfold fullness: LORD, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the LORD.
[6] “Last trumpet”: Not the Rev 11 seventh trumpet; Paul’s context is the church’s mystery translation (1 Cor 15:51) and echoes Num 10’s assembly/journeying usage.
[7] Fig tree: Some see Israel’s revival; others, a general seasonal parable (Luke 21:29 says “and all the trees”). Either way, watchfulness is commanded.
[8] For vs with: 1 Thess 4:16–17 (for His own, in the air) vs Matt 24:30–31; Rev 19 (with His own, to the earth).
[9] Interval: For expanded arguments see John F. Walvoord, Charles Ryrie, and Thomas D. Ice (e.g., Ice, “Why I Believe the Bible Teaches Rapture Before Tribulation,” 2009).
[10] Church/Israel distinction: The church (a mystery, Eph 3:1–13) is not the subject of Daniel’s 70 weeks (Dan 9:24–27). Revelation names Israel/tribes explicitly; the church is addressed in chs. 2–3 and then seen in heaven (chs. 4–5) as elders in white with crowns.

Downloads

Why I Believe the Bible Teaches Rapture Before Tribulation.pdf

The Feast Of Trumpets